In the field of Environment, we have volunteer opportunities in Tasmania at Big Ears Animal Sanctuary, in Western Australia at Nearer to Nature or in Queensland at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Information on these exciting volunteer opportunities is below!

Big Ears Animal Sanctuary

What’s the organisation? Big Ears Animal Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity. Our purpose is to provide shelter, care, rehabilitation and in some cases onward re-homing to animals. In need, whether they be lost, abandoned or mistreated.

What will the volunteer do? The volunteer will: feed and water a variety of animals, cleaning and washing up, working with sick animals in the hospital, grooming animals, helping apply medications/creams etc to the animals. The volunteer will get to experience working with a large array of animals. The volunteer will also be a part of the Big Ears volunteer team which are an inclusive group of people from a variety of backgrounds.

What are the requirements? Initiative and ability to work unsupervised and with others. Further eligibility requirements can be found under the ‘Requirements’ section below.

What’s the organisation? Nearer to Nature provides the community with unique, enjoyable activities that help participants discover marvellous natural areas in and around Perth and the South West. Specially designed activities are offered for schools, holidays periods and the general public. For schools we provide excursions, incursions, professional learning and resources that meet requirements of the Australian Curriculum. During the school holidays, fun, hands-on activities bring kids of all ages up close and personal with our wonderful plants and animals in some very special places. Nearer to Nature’s overall aim is to increase the community’s environmental awareness, knowledge and skills, including the related heritage of Indigenous and European cultures.

What will the volunteer do? The volunteer will assist in the preparation, organisation and running of nature-based educational activities. The role is dynamic, with tasks varying from day to day, and the atmosphere around the Centre is always happy and fun.

What are the requirements? Good English, communication skills, desire to work with young children and interest/experience in science and education is preferred. Further eligibility requirements can be found under the ‘Requirements’ section below.

Who will this suit? Will suit an applicant who plans to go on to become a teacher or study science or the environment.

Location? The Perth Hills Discovery Centre is located approximately seven minutes drive from the township of Mundaring. Located 34 kilometres from the centre of Perth city, Mundaring is a vibrant community with shops, cafes and recreational facilities.

What’s the organisation? Only 12km from Brisbane City, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary with over 130 koalas. Hold a koala anytime, hand feed kangaroos and meet a large variety of Australian wildlife in beautiful, natural settings.

What will the volunteer do? Experience what it is like to be a wildlife keeper, and assist our keepers in the daily care of our wildlife. Tasks include food preparation, cleaning exhibits, monitoring visitors, tidying around the sanctuary, interacting with visitors and assisting with enquiries. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with our koalas, macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), birds, mammals, and barnyard animals.

What are the requirements? Volunteers need to be responsible and reliable, friendly, hardworking and not mind getting dirty! For health and safety reasons, a good level of English comprehension is essential. Further eligibility requirements can be found under the ‘Requirements’ section below.

Who will this suit? An applicant with an interest in animals and their welfare.

Bijzonderheden

Voorwaarden

Participants must have completed secondary education in their home country and evidence of this must be included in your application.

Taal gesproken op het project

Engels

Taalvereisten

Participants must be proficient in English and this must be demonstrated through:
- An IELTS (General English) overall result of 4.5 which has been issued within the last two years prior to the commencement of the Community Service in Australia Program; or
- A TOEFL iBT result of 32-34 (or equivalent TOEFL PBT or TOEFL CBT score) which has been issued within the last two years prior to the commencement of the Community Service Program in Australia.
Exceptions:
1. A participant who holds a passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America does not need to meet the English language requirement.
2. The English language requirements doe snot apply to a person who has spent a continuous period of five years in English language education in Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America within the last seven years.

Soft skills en andere vereisten

In addition to meeting the education and language requirements outlined above, applicants will also complete a Skype or Zoom video interview with AFS Australia staff. This is to ensure that applicants have the necessary communicative skills as well as to assist with establishing expectations regarding their placement.

Accommodatie en maaltijden

Accommodatie

Gastgezin

Maaltijden

2 per dag

Details

Please note that the program fee includes meals, except lunches on weekdays.

Extra

Sociaal leven

Participants must volunteer for a minimum of 25 hours per week in their designated community placement.
Outside of these hours, participants are free to volunteer for additional hours or to socialise with colleagues, host family member and new friends in Australia.

Add-ons

For some placements, participants will be required to obtain a 'Working With Children Check'.Up to AUD$180

Specialised clothing required for your community service placement (for example, sun or wet-weather protection or other specialised clothing)Approximately AUD$200 (depending on your placement)